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Alzheimer's and Law Enforcement |
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Written by Tim Gobble, Sheriff
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Friday, 29 May 2009 |
With Alzheimer's sufferers, nothing can be taken for granted. Every case is different and sufferers can react differently in various situations. Although there have been advances in medicine that slows the onset of the disease, Alzheimer's remains a perplexing and frustrating illness. Most people associate it with old age, but the disease can affect any age group.
For law enforcement officers, it is extremely important to recognize the difference between an Alzheimer's victim and someone who is simply belligerent or uncooperative. The BCSO has a good record of identifying Alzheimer's patients and responding appropriately.
Several years ago, the BCSO began regular in-service training designed to help deputies better understand the problems of mental health issues as they relate to law enforcement. Strictly speaking, Alzheimer's is not a mental illness ~ it is a physical disease that attacks and eventually destroys certain functions of the brain. However, for the sake of their own safety and the safety of others, the BCSO includes Alzheimer's in our mental health training to help deputies recognize the difference between medical disorders and disorderly conduct.
This is important because a common behavioral trait with Alzheimer's sufferers is “combativeness” and “wandering.” A patient can wander about in their room or in the yard, but too often they can wander away from supervised care or controlled environments. They can become aggressive and combative toward those who are trying to help.
Alzheimer's victims are often described as being “childlike” in their helplessness. For that reason, it makes sense for anyone caring for an Alzheimer's victim to implement some of the same safeguards used to protect children. Don’t leave sufferers alone, for one thing. Also, have their fingerprints and a recent photograph available in the event a search and rescue situation arises.
Of the five million-plus Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease, seventy percent live at home in the community. To assist law enforcement in protecting sufferers, the Alzheimer’s Association has developed an outreach and training program called, “Approaching Alzheimer’s: Make your first response the right response.” This program provides strategies for dealing with Alzheimer’s sufferers, as well as others who suffer from dementia-type diseases. It is a valuable resource law enforcement personnel, paramedics, fire fighters, disaster relief personnel and other first responders.
To learn more about the program or to access other information about Alzheimer's, go to their web site ~ http://alz.org ~ or call 1-800-272-3900. A local Alzheimer's support group meets on the third Tuesday of every month at 5:00 p.m. in the Hiwassee Room of Skyridge Medical Center. The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. Their mission is “to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.”
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